Melissa Etheridge and Kristen Bell Both Announce Engagements … and Other Reactions to Court Ruling on Marriage Equality

When the United States Supreme Court handed down their rulings Wednesday concerning same-sex marriage, it was reason for many to celebrate — including Melissa Etheridge. But her celebration is extra special as she announced she plans to marry her TV writer girlfriend, Linda Wallem.

During an interview with CNN discussing the news that the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), which restricts federal marriage benefits to opposite-sex couples, had been ruled invalid and the appeal of California's Prop 8 was dismissed, the 52-year-old singer dropped her wedding news as well, saying, "It is about family and I love my four kids. I called my now fiancée. I'm looking forward to marrying my partner of three years we've been together. I'm going to get married in the state of California. I woke [the kids] up this morning telling them the Supreme Court ruling on DOMA. … I love everybody out there. It's a great day."

Soon after, she took to Twitter to tell her followers about her engagement.

and getting fully, completely and legally married this year to my true love of over three years, Linda Wallem. — Melissa Etheridge (@speak_true) June 26, 2013

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So are Dax Shepard and Kristen Bell (Getty Images)

And that's not the only celebrity couple who will be tying the knot because of the decision. Kristen Bell, 32, and her fiancé Dax Shepard, 38, who memorably declared that they wouldn't marry until it was legal for everyone in California to do so, will be taking the plunge as well. The "Veronica Mars" re-popped the question on Twitter to her TV star beau, with whom she has a newborn daughter, Lincoln.